Bracelet clasp



May 19, 1931. w. J. ROY 1,806,265

BRACELET CLASP Filed April 30, 1950 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 19, 1931 UNITED sTATEs Param* crricl.:

WILFRID J. ROY, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO GEMEX COMPANY 0FNEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A

CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY BRACELET CLASP Application filed April 30,

This invention relates to a bracelet clasp, and has for its object toprovide a construction which will positively and yet releasably securethe ends of a bracelet together.

A further object of this invention is to provide a construction whichmay be assembled in the bracelet without the use of solder and yet willreleasably clasp the bracelet ends together.

A still further object of this invention 1s to provide a connectingmember having resilient parts which may be secured in position in theends of the bracelet by insertion of the member into the ends of thebracelet and its resilient parts snapping into engagement with thebracelet.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a structure forsecuring the ends of the bracelet together which will cooperate withornamental openings formed in the top wall of the bracelet andutilizethese openings for securing the-parts in assembled relation.

With these and other objects and advantageous features in view, theinvention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosedin the detailed description following, in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings and more particularly set forth in the appendedclaims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a top plan view of the bracelet with its ends connectedtogether and showing the pierced ornamentation provided on the top wallof the two end links;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Figure l with the ends separated;

Fig. 3 is a section on ure l;

Fig. 4c is a section on line 4-4 of Figure l; l

Fig.` 5 is a section on line 5 5 0f Figure 3; n

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the connecting member and latch; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the locking member.

In connecting the abutting ends of bracelets together, particularlythose of link form, it is found of advantage to provide a line 3--3 ofFig- 1930. Serial No. 448,562.

resilient or latch part which has suitable formations thereon forengaging abutments or catches in the opposite end link of the braceletand which may be detached by mannal pressure upon a finger piece andalso to secure such elapsed ends in locked relation by means of some,so-called safety member to provide additional auxiliary engagement toaccomplish this purpose, it being usual that the auxiliary memberrequires a movement in a different direction from the release movementof the finger piece in order that the parts may be more securely held inposition, and in order to simplify a constructionV accomplishing theseresults and utilize the ornamental piercings vin the top wall of abracelet, I have provided a connecting member of resilient sheet stockhaving its end portions doubled back upon itself forming compressibleparts which are used for securing each of the ends of the connectingmember in the ends of the bracelet to attach the same thereto, and uponone of these resilient parts, I have provided a finger piece forrelease, and I have also formed a swinging locking member which willextend through one of the ornamental openings in the top wall and ing inthe resilient latch part for additionally locking the latch in the endof the bracelet into which it is inserted against accidental removal bypressure on the finger piece; and the following is a detaileddescription of the present embodiment of this invention illustrating thepreferred means by which these advantageous results may be accomplished.

With reference to the drawings, 10 designates a terminal shell or linkat one end of the bracelet and 1l the terminal shell or link at theopposite end of the bracelet, each of which is provided with a top wallhaving an ornamental surface formed by piercings or openings l2 formedtherein in suitable position to form a design upon the top wall. The endlink 10 of the bracelet shown is also suitably notched as at 13 toreceive the finger piece of the latch, which will be presentlydescribed.

A connecting member 14.- has parts l5 and enter an open- 16 folded backupon itself to form resilient ortions which may be inserted into theends l of the bracelet, the `stock of this connecting let and the flangeor'portions 17 will snap,

into the opening'lS of the link 11, which opening is one of the piercedopenings to form the ornamentation on the `top' wall thereof. The foldedportion is provided with a finger piece 19 and upwardly extending{ianges 20, and upon insertion of thisportion 15, into the end of thebracelet,

' the flanges 20Vengage with the catches or vrlet they. will compress -iAen withdrawn from the i 'opposite end of ends of` the braceletvtogether,

abutments 21 of the link 1() at either side of the notch 13thereof tosecure the same in position,vit being understood'that as these `partsare forced into the ends of thebraceuntil opposite Vthe opening providedto receive them in to which they'will then be snapped, by theirinherenttension or resiliency.' Y

In order to detach the ends ofthe brace- .let, it is v4necessaryto forceinwardly or compressthe' part'15 'byv means of piece 19, V thuspermitting the link 10 to be latchlwhich is per'- manently'securedasabove described at the the bracelet.'

In order to further assist in securing the' I have provided a lockingmember having arms 22 pivoted by inwardly extending pins 23 to the sidewalls' of the endY link 10 and jloined attlieir o posite ends by a crossbar24 carmentingthe bracelet, and into 24 and 25in1the latch partilV tosecurely rying `a nger 25 Ato extend Vthrough the opening the openingslock the same against removal by .Y accidental'p'ressu're upon'thefinger piece V19.

' Y Theflocking` memberis secured in closed i .5'5 lifting and swingingor l'locked lposition 'by detent and recess means between the side wall27 and its arms 22,consis`t`ing of projections recesses 29 in the otherto receive the projection. y'Ihe locking member is'also provided with afinger piece BO in orderthat the finger nail may engage the same forthelocking member about its rpivot 23 to released position.

` Itis thus. seenthat although I have prof vided a locking member whichhas affinger extending through the top wall of the bracelet, the vfinger`extends throughV an opening which isformed in the brackletgforlornavmfenting purposes and thus lnot only requires no particular`operation to provide such a structure, but will also not detract fromfthe ornamental yappearance Vby unsightly In order to assemble theconnect-V thel finger 26 pierced for the purpose of orna- 28 upon oneand openings or the like, even when the locking member is swung toreleased position.

While I have described certain construction forms which embody theprinciples of my invention, it is obvious that other desired changes inarrangement may bemade within the spirity and the scope of the inventionVas dened in the appended'claims.

Iclaim: v v A V L Inganjrornamental chain including'terminal shells,leach having atop wall ornamented yby pierced openings therein, aconnecting member having a resilient part locatedY in one of said shellswith a portion extending into one of said openings to retain it inposition, and cooperating yresilient means between the minal shell fordetachable connection there.-

2. In an ornamental chain includingfvterminal shells, each having a top'wallV ornamented by piercedl openings therein,a connecting member foldedto provid'eia resilient part located in one of said shells withYaportionY extending'into one of said openings to retain it in position,and cooperating resilient means between the member and other terminalshell fori ydetachable connection therewith. Y n .j

3. In an ornamental" chain including terminal shells, each having ya topwall ornamented by pierced'openings therein, a connecting member foldedto provide a resilient part locatedin 'one ofizsaid shells with aportion extending into one of said openings to retain it in position,cooperating'-means between the member'and ot'her'terminal shell fordetachable connection therewith comprisinga resilient'part forcompressing the same, and acat'ch part on the bracelet to engage.therewith.4

4f. In an ornamentalchain including terminalshells, eachhaving a topwall ornamentedby pierced*openings-therein, aV con* necting memberfolded to providefa resilient part located in 'one off said 7shells witha flange :extendinginto one of said openings to retain in position, andvcooperatingresilient means between VtheV member andv other terminalshell yfor vdetachable connection therewith. Y

5. In an ornamental chain, includingterminal shells each having-'a `topwall Aornamentecl by pierced openingstherein, connecting me part locatedin one of said shells with a flange extended 'into onevof said`ornamental openings toretaini-t in position, cooper- -ating i means4between the member and other terminal shellV for l detachable4connection therewith, comprisinga resilient part extending into theshell and having Salinger piece for compressing 'the same, anda catchpart on theshell to engage gtherewithf.'

6. I -n an ornamental. chain', including terberlfolded to 'provide a'resilient member and `other ter- Y minal each having a top Wall, a

ment.

minal shells a member folded back upon itself at its end portions toprovide resilient portions at each end, an abutment in each terminalshell to be engaged by one of said resilient portions and retain thesame connected thereto, and a linger piece on one of said portions forcompressing the same to permit detachment of the terminal shells.

n an ornamental chain, including terlinks each having a top Wall, alatch part extending from one end terminal link including a resilienttongue With an opening therein, a catch part on the other terminal linkto engage said latch part and hold the ends together, and a lockingmember swingably mounted on the other terminal link and provided with alinger to extend through the top 'Wall carrying said catch part intosaid opening to hold the latch against detachment.

8. In a chain including terminal links, each having a top Wall With anopening therein, a latch part extending from one terminal link includinga resilient tongue t With an opening therein, a catch part on the otherterminal link having said opening to engage said latch part and hold thelinks together, and a locking member swingably mounted on one terminallink and provided with a linger to extend through the said opening inthe top Wall and into said opening in the latch to hold the latchagainst detachment.

9. In a chain including terminal links,

latch part extending from one terminal link including a resilient tonguewith an opening therein, a catch part on the other terminal link toengage said latch part and hold the links together, and a locking memberswingably mounted on the terminal link carrying said catch part, andprovided with a finger to extend through the top Wall and into saidopening to hold the latch against detachl0. In a chain, includingterminal links, each having a top Wall, a combressible latch partextending Jfrom one terminal link including a resilient tongue with anopening therein, a catch part on the other end to engage said latch partand hold the links together, a linger piece for compressing said latchpart, and a locking member swingably y minal link and connected by across bar provided With a nger to extend through the top Wall and intosaid opening to hold the latch against detachment.

12. In a chain, including terminal links, each having a top Wallornamented by pierced openings therein, a catch part on one terminallink, a latch part extending from the other terminal link with anopening therein to register with one of said ornamental openings whenengaged with the catch part to secure the links together, and a lockingmember swingably mounted on one terminal link provided with a linger toextend into said registered openings to hold the latch againstdetachment.

13. In a chain, including terminal links, each having a top Wallornamented by pierced openings therein, a catch part on one terminallink, a latch part extending from the other terminal link With anopening therein to register with one of said ornamental openings in thefirst mentioned link When engaged With the catch part to secure thelinks together, and a locking member having a pair of arms swingablymounted on one terminal link and connected by a cross bar provided Witha linger to extend into said registered openings t hold the latchagainst detachment.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

WILFRID J. ROY.

